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Choosing Between Surgical and Non-Surgical Hair Replacements

For many men and women, quickly thinning hair is a natural part of life – for some, from as early as their twenties.

Fortunately, recent advancements in science and technology have allowed men and women to replace and restore their hair, through both surgical and non-surgical methods.

Let’s take a look at some of the things that might cause hair loss.

Why Am I Losing My Hair?

No two doctors have the same opinion on the direct cause of hair loss, mainly because no single cause exists. Some of the more common causes include:

Hormonal changes. Hormones regulate all operations in the body, from physical growth to mood changes to hunger cravings. Hair growth is also maintained by hormones.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a naturally occurring male sex hormone and generally does not pose much of a problem. However, an excessive amount of DHT prevents nutrients from reaching hair follicles. Hair, like any other living thing, needs nutrition in order to stay healthy. A lack of nourishment causes your hair follicles to reproduce at a slower rate, inhibiting growth, and eventually causing loss of hair.

Aging. Next to hormonal imbalances, aging is one of the top reasons for hair loss. As you age, the rate at which your hair follicles reproduce and replenish begins to gradually decline.

Aging may also lead to excessive DHT production.

Medications. It is well known that many cancer treatments can cause dramatic hair loss, but other medication types can also lead to baldness. Steroids and blood thinners, for example, could cause unexpected baldness.

Environmental factors. We all live our own lives and are subject to all sorts of environmental factors that affect our moods and physiology. Some chemicals, like those found in hair products, can be detrimental to your hair and potentially destroy hair follicles.

Constantly being bombarded by physical and emotional stress can also have negative effects on a person’s health, including baldness.

Now that we understand some of the causes behind hair loss and male pattern baldness, what are some solutions for that receding hair line and which should you choose?

Non-Surgical Hair Replacement

Non-surgical hair replacement does not actually help you grow new hair. Instead, non-surgical methods act to reduce visible baldness. Generally, there are two non-surgical methods used by professionals today.

Hair duplication. Modern technology has made non-surgical hair replacement look completely natural, seamlessly blending with your own hair. If someone were face-to-face with you, they would never know that all the hair on your head wasn’t simply growing there naturally.

The hair duplication process involves real human hair and/or synthetic hair that is precisely matched to your own, regarding thickness, texture, curliness, growth pattern, et cetera. During your consultation, experts take time to make sure the new hair will be effortless and natural. There are several different methods for attaching the hair to a base, as well as for attaching the final product to your scalp. With hair duplication, you can swim, shower, be active, and do everything you normally would without having to worry.

Again, this method feels and looks completely natural, and millions of people who utilize hair duplication are satisfied and confident again. You can always learn more about the different options of this method from our experts.

-Pharmacology. Minoxidil, the only FDA approved drug on the market, can either be taken orally or applied topically. This drug increases the strength of existing hair, and although some people have reported hair growth, Minoxidil is not proven to effectively grow new hair.

Surgical Hair Replacement

There are also surgical hair replacement options. The only requirement of surgical replacement is that you must have existing hair, either on the sides or back of the head.

Hair transplants. Hair transplants are a safe and popular option for surgical hair replacement. In this procedure, hair follicles are taken from donor areas of your scalp that have strong hair growth and are precisely, surgically placed into the areas of baldness. For example, if the back of your head can spare some of its more plentiful hair, it can be replaced with very small incisions to your receding hairline. You will get a natural look that makes use of your own hair. It will even continue to grow there, naturally.

Imagine transplanting a patch of grass from your back yard to your front yard. The roots are still intact, so the grass lives and breathes, just as it did in its original place.

What’s the Right Choice?

Between surgical and non-surgical hair replacement, which is right for you? Remember, surgical hair replacement does require pre-existing hair on the sides or back of your head. In terms of price, surgical hair replacement is much more affordable than, say, taking medication the rest of your life. If you don’t have much hair to spare for transplantation, remember that hair duplication is a great option. You may need to have a touch-up once in a while, but it’s a small price to pay for a full head of hair.